Qld: Indon ship salvage bid could be hampered by rain

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2007
Qld: Indon ship salvage bid could be hampered by rain

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, Aug 24 AAP - Torrential rain could hamper efforts to salvage a 35-metre Indonesian
sailing ship grounded on a south-east Queensland beach.

The Arung Samudera was on its way to Sydney for next month's APEC forum when it encountered
the storm that has been lashing the Queensland coast.

The sailing ship remains at Inskip Point, where its crew of 18 were forced to abandon it.

They are staying at nearby Rainbow Beach, where they were joined by an Indonesian naval
attache last night.

Maritime Safety Queensland officers were due to inspect the Arung Samudera this morning,
to assess damage before planning a salvage mission.

But the continuing deluge could block those efforts.

Rainbow Beach has set a new local rainfall record, receiving 713mm of rain in the 24
hours to 9am (AEST) today.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this was more than three times the previous
record total of 216mm for the whole month of August set in 1998.

Flash-flooding has cut roads and closed schools in the area.

Indonesian embassy spokesman Dino Kusnadi said the sailors still hoped to make it to
Sydney in time for APEC.

"It's still within the target of attending the APEC tall ships festival, but first
of all we have to assess the damage of the ship, as one of the rudders was damaged," he
said.

"These are navy personnel. They are accustomed to these conditions, wet weather and
storms, but they are happy to be on dry land and waiting it out."

The ship had dragged its anchors and its rudder and centre board had broken before
it ended up on the beach.

AAP gd/pjo/jl/de

KEYWORD: RAINBOW RAIN (PIX AVAILABLE)

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